Peer Reviews

https://youtu.be/CEkDC6U4KYU?si=olK2nxWvTsjzsq16

The technical elements within the sound design, cinematography, editing are executed very well within this intro. The background track throughout the media text gives an eerie feeling which fits the mood of the film perfectly. Also at the start, the transition from a nondiegetic ringing to slowly hearing the Psychiatrist really sets the tone of this meeting as mysterious and creepy. The camera shots and movements such as the insert cut to the patients hands, the Psychiatrist's pen, and the patients legs are well executed showing the patients fear and allowing us to put together what state their in. The editing throughout was excellent such as in the start when it sporadically cuts between different things creating tension.

The one thing I slightly dislike was probably the Mise En Scene of the intro. The costume for the Psychiatrist felt too casual breaking the immersion a bit. Also, the lighting felt kinda off because it was too bright for such an eerie scene. The location for the scene seems too 'happy', if that makes any sense. The blinds are up making the house look brighter and in return nicer and she has appliances/items in her house that make her mental state seem fine in contrast with everything suggesting it isn't. Finally, the one scene where she gets her pills is a little confusing and a little too much.

This movie opener only clues into what the situation is leaving many things unanswered. This gives the viewer many questions and makes me want to watch the movie to find put the story together. Not only that, but its concept is interesting as we see a girl who is clearly experiencing problems with her sanity making me want to watch the movie. It doesn't look like your usually movie intro, but that works in its favor. It allows the intro to feel fresh and entirely new.

The scene where Angelina goes to get her pills and it quickly cuts in maybe a delusion of her throwing the bottle or something is confusing. I don't understand whether this was to show her mental state or what is truly happening. Also the psychiatrist's face at the end is very difficult to tell what kind of expression he is giving. Like I can't tell if he's surprised or confused or both. It also is slightly derpy.

I would suggest that the creator of the intro fix the lighting, make it a little clearer, and maybe make the location seem more dreary. The lighting would look better if it was dim or maybe if it wasn't as natural looking. Some scenes are a little unclear in what they want to depict. Finally, maybe add some accents/ props to the scenes to either create a more professional psychiatrist's office or a less 'happy' looking house.

https://youtu.be/vAW-q6FRgtA?feature=shared

The camera shots and movements in this intro are incredibly smooth and well executed. It uses a variety of camera movements such as a tilt, a handheld camera movement, and a zoom. The editing of the title scene is excellent. Also the cuts are edited well creating a smooth proceeding of events in the intro. Finally, I like the diegetic sound of the surrounding wilderness and the footsteps of the characters.

There were only some slight issues with this first cut. These being the lighting, and the sound. The lighting was fine for the most part, until randomly it changes from a clear day to a nighttime, taking me out of the immersion of the intro. For the sound, they need to fix the volume of the characters voices, maybe add some background music, and tweak the background sound of the wilderness a bit. Throughout the whole media text it is hard to understand what the characters are saying and what is being talked about. Also I feel like this film would benefit greatly from an eerie background track or something of the like.

This media text definitely looks like a movie opener but it doesn't feel enough like one. When I think of movie intros I think of the heavy tension they give off. In this opening they definitely introduce events that could have a lot of tension-such as when it looks like something/someone is watching the characters or when they find the coordinates-but these events come off a little flat as there is no background music to amplify the mystery/scariness/drama of the scenes. When they find the coordinates it would be nice to hear a nondiegetic sound that would increase the mystery like in other openings. Finally, they did a great job making me want to know what happens next in the film, with many things left unanswered.

I guess it is a little confusing in some aspects. Like for one who is the person missing? Is she one of their friends? That's what I'm assuming. Also, what led them to look for her in this location? Did some clue lead them to this forest? You could argue these keep the audience wanting to know what is happening and what will happen without giving too much knowledge but it does confuse me a bit.

My only suggestions to make this better is to fix the sound, lighting, maybe give a little background info for the audience, and amplify the scenes that should have more tension/emotion. Besides these changes this is a very well made production and exceeds as a movie opener.

https://youtu.be/4iy64blVFJk?si=WTZmXdZfbdo0yvSY

To start off, I love the story of this production. It is pretty interesting and the characters are very colorful. I also like how they start with an establishing shot to give a little background of where they are. This also helps the audience make assumptions such as that they are all schoolfriends. Finally I like the use of focus pull at the end and the handheld camera movement throughout the opening. The focus pull elevates the drama of the friends situation and the handheld camera movement lets the audience be with them in the scene.

Now for the things I dislike... I would say there are slight errors throughout this opening. Starting off, the transitions at the start are very jarring and ruin the immersion. Also, throughout the opening the aspect ratio flops between a normal widescreen to a phone like resolution. Finally, the dialogue at the start sticks to the same camera angle which can be a little boring after a while, but that is helped by the good dialogue.

This film fits the criteria of a movie opening. It is interesting and holds the audiences attention, but since there is no background track it feels a little empty and the dramatic scenes don't have the punch of a movie opener. It gets the audience wanting to know what secret was whispered in each of the friends ears which makes the audience want to continue watching it.

The only confusing part of this opener for me is the facial expressions throughout the film. The character who tells each of the other friends a secret is hard to identify what he is feeling at times. He looks pretty smiley as he is telling them the secrets and then it cuts to him looking serious.

I only have a couple suggestions for this opener. The first being fixing the aspect ratios, as this is a little uncinematic. Also, I feel like the editing can be improved upon a bit, especially for the transitions. It would be cool to see more diverse camera shots and angles at the starting dialogue. Finally, it would be cool to hear some background sound that helps identify the feelings of the characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWhmKSlVnc8

I really like the camera angles and movements in this opener. The handheld camera movement helps us feel apart of the scene. The close up shot that the audience can assume is the character's blog is also pretty clever. I also like the dialogue as it feels sort of natural and gets us into a comfortable state of mind so to speak. Finally, I like the diegetic sound of a branch snapping as it is used to show that someone may be lurking behind.

The sound of this production felt a little wonky at times. For example, when each time it cuts to a different shot you can tell based on the sound as it sort of spikes making a uncomfortable noise. Also the wind is so loud in the background, I have no idea how would fix that though. This opening also feels a little empty without a background track and loses a lot of tension when they get kidnapped. Also, this is just nitpicking but if they filmed during sunset it would have helped the mood of the opening heavily.

This is a clear opener as it gives the audience a little background and introduces the characters. Also, it gets the audience interested while making us ask ourselves what could have happened to them and what happens next. I wonder who the attacker was which makes me keep watching.

The only thing that left me confused was when the kidnapper showed up. The reason being is even with a hoodie he kind of looks like the guy character who is their friend. Even so, earlier we heard a twig break making us think there is someone lurking. Does this mean the characters are just being paranoid over the twig? Or is the kidnapper actually their friend?

I suggest they work on tweaking the sound. It would be nice if they can somehow remove the wind and maybe lighten how loud the nature is. Also, if they could add a background track that would amplify the tone of the opener. Everything else is more of a nitpick from me, such as fixing the sound when it cuts. As well as fixing the sound when it cuts from her blog to a camera shot.

https://youtu.be/ORoNP73icvo?si=NKIfbXBksnvGWQ3F

I really liked the acting in this opening, it felt fleshed out and well done. Also the mise en scene such as the costumes allow us to understand each characters personality. The girl in pink is bubbly, the guy in black is rebellious and a troublemaker and the girl in white is more responsible and won't sit there and watch something happen. It also is symbolistic since black and white are opposite colors and it seems they really do not like each other. Also, the camera shots and movements are also very well executed. the pan as the pink girl turns around is smart, the wide shot of the class shows us all the different personalities, and the shoulder shot at the end shows the conversation between the two clashing with words so to speak. Finally, the inserts and cuts to these inserts as each person is doing something is a really cool shot. 

I disliked how short this opener is, as it just randomly ends when the girl in the white shirt says something, it feels too abrupt. Also, at the start I liked the track but it ended so fast. It would be nice if they were to add some sort of music in the scene where the bully sits down or throughout the rest of the opener.

This is a great opener. It feels like everything is planned out and nothing is done on a whim. For example the teachers face is slightly cut off to not reveal who he is. Also it is a very entertaining opener that keeps the audiences attention with the variety of shots, angles and movements. The abrupt ending is a little weird since it has no music in the background and only gets a response out of the girl with the white shirt before it ends. I guess it does make the audience wonder what altercation will happen next so it works well for that.

The only thing I'm sort of confused on is the different classroom. Its very hard to notice but there is a discrepancy when it comes to the classroom they walk into and what classroom we actually see. Also, in the over the shoulder shot the teacher has just disappeared from thin air.

The only thing I can really recommend is for them to add a slight background track as that will help amplify the drama as well as emotions of each character. Also, I guess fix the discrepancies, but that may be too difficult to accomplish (knowing the teacher and whatnot).